The Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone is the ideal mic for project and home studio applications. With a remarkably low price, cardioid pattern, and specs that put it in the big leagues, it features a custom-engineered, 16mm low-mass diaphragm and smooth 20Hz-20kHz frequency response. The AT2020's low self-noise is suited to digital recording, plus it has a high 144dB SPL handling.

Requires phantom power.

Features

Condenser

Cardioid pattern

Side address

16mm low-mass diaphragm

20Hz-20kHz frequency response

144dB SPL handling

Rugged body

Tomorrow's standard for affordable side-address studio condensers. Today. Just a click or a call will make it yours now.

The AT2020 is a pro-sounding mic. Its diaphragm is about 2/3-inch, as compared to the typical large-diaphragm condensers at 1-inch diaphragm size. But don't worry--It has a surprisingly BIG sound when used with even a modest preamp (the Art Tube MP and the Studio Projects VTB1 both work sweetly with this mic. I know, because I've used it with both preamps). Really, any decent condenser mic should be used with a preamp, if you aspire to "professional" sound quality. And the AT2020 is MORE than a decent condenser. It is fairly versatile, but best for voice, IMO. And that is a biggie. I record on a Roland VS2480 with the above preamps and love the results. I have ordered an AT3035 because I like the AT2020 so much, and the AT3035 (and the newer AT2035 as well) are reputed to have an even bigger, more detailed sound than the 2020. Even after I get the AT3035, I will use this mic often for background vocals, or the "huskier" voices I record to control the lows (think male R&B baritone, or Marian Anderson's spirituals). I will probably get another AT2020 to have a stereo pair for overheads or room-miking, in the relatively near future. But the AT2020 is supposedly great for electric guitar cabs and a lot of persussion. I have heard both "yays" and "nays" about its performance on acoustic guitar (I haven't used it that way myself yet), but it can work there. Don't know about the AT2020 for sax, trumpet and wind instruments though--I have no idea at this point. Maybe somebody else does. If you can't afford an AT2035 or 3035, this is the one to get. And DO use it with a preamp, even if only a cheap one (see above). Just concentrate on finding the preamp's "sweet-spot" (*highest* CLEAN gain you can get without hiss, hum or distortion);Have the recording device's levels LOW (like 1, or maybe 1-2 MAX). If you do this with the AT2020, it is likely you will get satisfying results. Highly recommended for the new recordist. Used with a preamp, this destroys the venerable SM57 for vocals.

I'm 15 years old, I had been saving up for this mic for awhile, because I had heard it was a good mic, well this is a great mic! For the price, the sound quality is nice & professional, I use it with my Art Tube MP Pre Amp, which works great, and the stand mount that comes with it attaches right on to my cheap mic stand. If you want great quality for a low price, buy this mic!

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